Blog RSS FeedBlog
The Colour of Money
It seems as if everything today can be upgraded to “green”--from hybrid and electric cars, to specially formulated non-toxic household cleaners and biodegradable bags. More daunting is the idea of creating a green and environmentally friendly living space. All of these have the perception of being expensive; however, this popular idea is a huge misconception.
The true cost of “Green” must be looked at from a number of angles:
• Green initiatives use resources like energy, water and materials more efficiently
• Health is improved through green living
• It can improve comfort and productivity
• One can save money by reducing operational and maintenance costs, and by lowering utility bills
Larger ticket items like solar panels may seem intimidating to average income families, but, as demand drives the purchase and installation costs down, they become a more realistic addition to your energy options.
Landscaping with local flora and having a sustainable yard means less watering, mowing, and fertilizing. While your neighbours are spending their weekends pushing lawnmowers and keeping their kids and dogs off the hazardous fertilizer, you can be reading a book or enjoying the birds, butterflies and other little wonders that zone appropriate foliage will bring to your yard.
From quality of life to cost efficiency, green living is becoming more and more affordable. Respecting the environment is becoming an easier choice as companies likewise decide that being “green” isn’t just a social trend, but a fiscally responsible decision to keep costs down in volatile times.
Chic and Classy: Brownstone Living
Brownstone buildings bring to mind different images to different people: Gwyneth Paltrow’s New York “pied a terre”, Carrie Bradshaw’s phenomenal haute couture filled closet within her Manhattan walk-up, or even Gordon and Susie’s brownstone at 123 Sesame Street. Walking down a brownstone lined street can make any woman feel like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte. For men, maybe they might feel like Big, or like they could meet one of those ladies. With your children, endless hours of Sesame Street can have you thinking a green fuzzy grump might pop out of a garbage can. But the one thing these all have in common is history, character and beauty.
Brownstones share similar architectural design, with small unique differences in each. The warmth of the red brick gives a feeling of elegance, of comfort and prosperity. Brownstones have a feeling of quality craftsmanship, and attention to detail that has been lost with many new architectural styles. The New York brownstones were originally built as single family homes for the upper class gentry, who could afford the Triassic period sandstone brick, and the space afforded them by a three or four story dwelling. Now, many of these have been broken up into luxurious (and some not so luxurious) apartments and condos. Some have remained single family homes, and price upwards of seven million dollars.
Greenbury has chosen to use brownstone style architectural elements throughout the neighbourhood. The townhouses, semi-detached and detached homes have the warmth from the stone and brick finishing that Manhattan, Boston and Chicago style brownstones offer, but without a price tag that only Paltrow or one of the Sex and the City gals could afford. These brownstone façade homes offer classic architecture and modern convenience for families, as well as the knowledge that Greenbury has paired a timeless design with innovative environmentally friendly attributes for a healthy, beautiful neighborhood anyone would be proud to live in. Even Carrie Bradshaw would be impressed.
